Bathtub



R. .MUELLl-:R

BATHTUB Original Filed Dec. 25, 1935 ge/ft Patented Dec. 21, 1937,UNITE-D STATES Ar'rH'rU y 7 H I .RobertMuellen Decatur,v lll.` 'l N loriginal applicatimnecember 23, 1935, serial No; 1 55,910, now PatentNo. 2,074,234, 'datedLMarch v16, 1937'. "Divided and this application-Sep Y, tember 16, 1966, Serial No. 101,141

' '7 claims.- (ci. 4-0-:1131

The present'linvention relates to bath tubs, particularly those of theapron type, and is a division of my copending application for bath tubs,Serial No. 55,910, led December 23, 1935,

now Patent No. 2,074,234, granted March 16,

An object of the invention is the formation of foot-receiving openingsin the lower portion of the apron to permit the user to stand closer l0to the tub proper when either manipulating the faucets or bathing achild seated in the tub. v

A further object is the provision of cover plates associated with thetub for closing the foot-receiving openings when the tub is not in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention will now be more particularly described, reference beinghad to the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a tub of the apron type illustrating oneembodiment of the invention'.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1. Y

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the foot-receivingopenings with the cover plate partly raised.

Figure 5 is a view showing a modied form of cover plate.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing a pair offoot-receiving openings provided with interior wall elements formingblind pockets.

Figure 7 is a section taken on line 1 1 of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figures 1 to 4, there isdisclosed one form of the invention wherein numeral Il) designates thetub proper, which may be of anydesired material, the form of tub hereinshown being the usual metal enameled tub characterized by the usual sideand end Walls `II and I2, respectively, and the outer apron I3.

It will be observed that the apron, as is usual in this type of tub,stands substantially vertical,

and since there is an appreciable distance between the inner and outerwalls of the tub, one

leaning over and using the tub must necessarily stand back aconsiderable distance in a rather awkward position. To overcome thisdifficulty, I

have formed a pair of spaced openings I4 in the lower portion of theapron, so that a person standing by the tub is enabled to stand closer,A

by reason of the toes of the feet projecting through the openings. Inthis embodiment of the invention there are provided, coverzplats l5`pivote@ to the .lower .end of the apron to swing into and out of aposition to entirely close the openings I4. Each cover plate is formedadjacent its lower extremity with an extension I6, and a suitable boltor other fas- 5 tening means Il pivotally connects the cover plate tothe apron. Preferably a knob or handle I8 projects outwardly from theface of the cover plate so that the latter may be easily grasped andmoved from one position to Vthe other. 10

In Figure 5 I have shown a further arrangement for closing the openingsIll. In this connection I have provided sliding cover plates I9 of rightangular formation. Each plate comprises a horizontal floor engagingflange 20 and a ver- 15 tical apron engaging portion 2 I. By graspingthe handle 22 each of these cover plates may be slid with respect to thelower portion of the apron to conceal or expose its respective openingI4. While no means have been disclosed, it is to be 20 understood thateither the flange 20 or the portion 2l may be positively connected tothe floor or apron in such a manner as to permit the cover plate toslide with respect to the apron, but at the same time be anchoredagainst accidental dis- 25 placement.

With the present construction it will be apparent that anyone wishing tolean over the tub for the purpose of washing a child or cleaning thetub, may do so with greater ease than-in the 30 usual type of apron tub.By removing the cover plates from the openings Ill, .a person may passthe front portions of his feet through the openings and thus stand orsit closer to tub proper than would be possible without the provision of35 the openings. The provision of the cover plates adds to theappearance of the tub and when closed they prevent the accumulation ofdust within the space enclosed by the apron.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and `7, 40 the cover plates I5 andI9 are not used. In this form, however, I prefer to secure to the innerface of the apron, pocket elements 23. These elements are adapted toentirely encompass the contour of the openings I4 and form therewith 45blind foot-receiving pockets. With this arrangement, any dustaccumulating in these pockets may be easily swept out.

In Figures 1 and 3 there is disclosed an opening 24 in the flathorizontal portion of the tub be- 50 tween the apron and the side wallof the tub proper. This constitutes a hand hold and is adapted to beused in conjunction with the usual hand hold mounted in the wall of theroom (not shown). y 55 Such variations from the construction hereinshown and described as are Within the skill of a mechanic may, ofcourse, be made without departing from the range of my invention.

I claim: Y Y

1. A bath tub having an apron, the lower portion of which is cut out toprovide a foot receiving opening, and a cover plate for said openingmovable into and out of operative position.

2. A bath tub having an apron, the lower portion of which is cut out toprovide a foot receiving opening, and Va cover plate for said openingpivotally connected to said apron.

3. A bath tub having an apron, the lower portion of which is cut out toprovide a foot receiving opening, and a cover plate for said openinghaving a portion thereof adjacent its lower edge,

pivotally connected to the lower portion of the apron. Y

4. A bath tub having an apron, the lower portion of which is cut out toprovide a, foot receiving opening, and a cover plate for said openingslidably mounted with respect to the lower portion of the apron.

5. A bath tub having an apron, the lower portion of which is out out toprovide a foot receiving opening, and a cover plate for said opening ofright angular formation having a horizontal floor engaging ange and avertical apron engaging portion slidable with respect thereto.

ROBERT MUELLER.

